What substrate is the most eye pleasing??

[chargers505]

Hi guys! This is my first post on this forum. I am planning on getting a halfmoon betta tomorrow. I bought a 2.5 gallon tank and will set it up today. I don't want to go with the regular gravel you see in every aquarium...it just doesn't look that nice. So that leads me to my question. What substrate looks the best in your opinion? I know sand is out of the question, since bettas and accidently swallow sand.

[Neelie]

i dont use any gravel in my 2.5g caus it makes life SO much easier with water changes BUT if you want to use gravel, use the small natural coloured. its very pretty imo.

you can see it in this pic

[chargers505]

But wouldn't it be better to have gravel than to not have any gravel? I heard that's where a lot of the good bacteria lives?

[Alex09]

Sand is ok. Gravel is ok. I personally like the look of natural gravel. In my tank I mixed natural gravel with black gravel and I love the look. So does Bella:

[Neelie]

Originally Posted by chargers505

But wouldn't it be better to have gravel than to not have any gravel? I heard that's where a lot of the good bacteria lives?

Only if you cycle, but a 2.5g is easiest to handle with water changes every 4 - 5 days. For which gravel is very hindering... so because i think my way is least maintenance, looks quite ok and my fish are very happy without substrate id recommend that lol

[chargers505]

Oh that's beautiful, Alex. Does Bella have any female betta tankmates? So far I've narrowed it down to the natural look or the modern look. Modern look will consist of fine black gravel mixed with gray gravel. Let's hope it turns out nice.

[chargers505]

Originally Posted by Neelie

Only if you cycle, but a 2.5g is easiest to handle with water changes every 4 - 5 days. For which gravel is very hindering... so because i think my way is least maintenance, looks quite ok and my fish are very happy without substrate id recommend that lol

So cycling is not a necessity??

[Alex09]

Originally Posted by chargers505

Oh that's beautiful, Alex. Does Bella have any female betta tankmates? So far I've narrowed it down to the natural look or the modern look. Modern look will consist of fine black gravel mixed with gray gravel. Let's hope it turns out nice.

Nope. She's a queen :P

In a smaller unfiltered tank you dont really have to worry about the beneficial bacteria as you have to do complete water changes anyways. IF you do want to cycle it then most of the bacteria should be able to live inside the filter. So even then, gravel is not 100% necessary. Its just there for looks.

[Neelie]

Originally Posted by chargers505

So cycling is not a necessity??

no no. its not even possible to cycle a 2.5g reliably.
5g + you can cycle. anything under is just water changing.

your routine for those tanks (same as 4 of mine) should be water change every 4-5 days. no gravel makes your life SO much easier... ake me 10min to do all 4 tanks. mine;


use a small heater for them.

[sayurasem]

white sand is the best specially with dark rich colored bettas.